Jerry A. Koble

Jerry A. Koble, 61, of Ft. Madison, IA passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 5:55 a.m. He was born March 15, 1951 to Dale Lester and Mary Anna (Hummell) Koble in Mt. Pleasant, IA.

He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1969 and earned his degrees in education and special education from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant.

Jerry married his wife, Sheila, in Mt. Pleasant in 1980 and moved to Ft. Madison to continue his career teaching special education in Ft. Madison High School. He taught for 34 years and was Transition Coordinator for the last two years of his 36 year tenure at the high school from which he retired in June 2011.

Everyone admired Jerry for his passion for serving others. He was a dedicated family man and patriot. He served 26 years in the Iowa Army National Guard as a Medical Section Sgt. and served on active duty in Dessert Storm in 1991. Jerry was proud of serving his country. He was also a strong advocate for homeless and abused animals.
His friends and family will miss Jerry's sense of humor, his wit, and many other talents. He is survived by his wife, Sheila, his mother, Mary Koble, of Mt. Pleasant, one daughter, Kristen Patten (Brad), of Ft. Madison, one brother, Dale Koble, of Maryland, one sister, Cheryl Blodgett (Rayond), of Macon, MO., one granddaughter, Kynndal Orth, of Ft. Madison, five other grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death his maternal and paternal grandparents, his father, Dale Koble, one infant sister, Janet, and his son, Paul Oden.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at the Barr Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, June 28, 2012 at the Barr Memorial Chapel. Burial with full military rites will be at Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. A memorial has been established for PAW Animal Shelter, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel.